The 2007 Tillamook Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Contest is on! You can win $5,000 and the rights to brag about your experience into your old age if you enter and emerge victorious at this third annual cookoff showdown.
Contestants may enter up to three recipes. You must also be able to travel to one of the six regional bake-offs held in Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, San Antonio, Denver and Chicago. Regional winners take home $1,000 in cash plus 25lbs of Tillamook cheese - now there's a deal - and the rights to compete in the finals (travel expenses paid!). At the finals, held at Portland's Noble Rot Restaurant/Wine Bar, you'll prepare your concoction live, from scratch, for a judging panel who will award the grand prize.

It's a little bit confusing, but the entry deadline varies by regional location - see the web site for details, rules and entry forms. While you're there, take a look at prior winners' recipes and see what you're up against. Most combine various other things w/ mac n' cheese - truffles, bacon, lobster and crab (the 2006 winner) are popular. Good Luck!